Several parents who are growing increasingly concerned finally resorted to court in an effort to force Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to resume academic activities. The goal is to reach an agreement using the assistance of mediation with the school concerning differences. The agreement reached through order of the court requires the university to employ an independent mediator to work with the university council, the Student Representative Council, SASCO, Economic Freedom Fighters Student Comment, #feesmustfall, and the NMMU Black Stokvel/Marikana to resolve the impasse that is preventing activities from occurring at the university.

The school has now been closed to students for more than two weeks after the protests concerning fees began. The parents’ group launched an urgent application recently attempting to force the school and its vice-chancellor to resume academic activity and normal business operations within two days. They are also requesting the school use private security companies or police to prevent students engaged in protest from breaking the law and to obtain an interdict against those students who do break the law. They also want the school to enforce the school’s disciplinary code against protesting students.

After the parent group filed the application for mediation, the school gave notice it would oppose action. Officials from the school were recently in court arguing their case, but eventually both sides agreed to mediation with a few stipulations. For instance, if either party feels there is no progress within a short period of time to resume academic activities, either group has the ability to return to the high court. School officials stated the application was an attempt by the parent group to usurp discretionary powers of the school, and they maintain that position, despite agreeing to participate in mediation.